Day One - Long Beach

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Yay the day I had waited for had finally come!! I booked yet, another great cruise slated for January 2014. What a great way to start off the year, much like last year. Island drinks by the pool, fun stage shows, karioke on board, and endless endless buffets and ice cream. Who wouldnt love going on a cruise? Plus whatever port you go to is usually a beautiful sunny island with great culture, food and cheaper prices on purses, jewlry and clothes! Not bad for a short 5 day vacation.

Anyway, we traveled into Long Beach the day prior, on Sunday. Being a 13 hour drive from EL Paso...you sort of have to start out a day earlier. And just like last year, we stayed at a seedy, cheap hotel just miles from the port. Only, somehow we did pretty well, driving I-10 to I-5 into Long Beach w/o getting lost...I wish I could say the same for the drive back.

After an unfortunate parking lot incident, we finally made it into the Queen Mary terminal and check in early. Just after 10am. Most cruises dont leave port til 4pm or later. We werent allowed on the ship until about noon, which was fine. There were a few food trucks which allowed us a late breakfast.

Then came the boarding process and finally, allowed on board! I didnt think the cruise would be full...but honestly, it was pretty packed. We, like everyone else, headed to the buffet, which was fantastic. All kinds of meats, sandwhiches and even some chinese food.

After the food comes the (very expensive) drinks. Normally I like wine, but being on a cruise during the day means you need at least an island drink or a real cocktail. And thats just what we did. We sat at the pool bar with vodka tonics, went inside to this nice little bar called "chopin" and had some tasty martini's.

Then came the fabulous dinner with salmon! And yes, more drinks. By then I had switched to wine, my fav!

We explored the ship but didnt really do any shows. After a long and tiring day we both passed out kind of early.

And just like that, the vacation had begun =)

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Photos

First pic!
Taken outside the terminal to board the ship. I actually like this one!

Queen Mary
They make you check in on this Queen Mary ship...I dont know a whole lot about it...

The Dome
Dome where you go thru security, customs, etc

Seagull
I like this pic...a seagull and the city of Long Beach right behind

First Drink
First Cruise ship drink!

Lunchtime
Outside having lunch